Billy Graham Center Archives

Papers of Fredrik Franson - Collection 87

[Note: The BGC Archives does not have the original documents of this collection. What it does have is a microfilm edition of the papers, which it purchased from a publisher, as did many other archives and libraries.]

[Note: What follows is a description of the documents in this collection which are available for use at BGC Archives in Wheaton, Illinois, USA. The actual documents are not, in most cases, available online, only this description of them. Nor are they available for sale or rent. Some or all of this collection can be borrowed through interlibrary loan. ]

Brief Description
Microfilm of xeroxed material collected by Rev. Edvard P.
Torjesen on the life and ministry of nineteenth century
missionary and evangelist Fredrik Franson. Materials include articles written by or about Franson in several languages. Documents are arranged chronologically by date in folders as received.

Fredrik Franson was born June 17, 1852, in the parish of Nora, Westmanland, Sweden. His
father, a land owner and miner, was able to provide well for his family, although he died when
Franson was five. His mother remarried two years later, to Pa Olson. Franson's siblings included
Eric, Frans, August, Anna, and a half sister, Marie. Taking advantage of excellent educational
opportunities, Franson became fluent in several languages including Swedish, German, Latin,
Norwegian, English, and French.

The family emigrated to the United States when Franson was seventeen and settled in Saunders
County, Nebraska, a farming community. Along with his brother August, Franson began to farm.
However, the physical strain proved too great and led to a severe malaria attack. During his
year's convalescence, Franson read and studied the Bible and finally became convinced of his own
need for salvation in 1872 at the age of twenty. He joined the local Baptist Church at Esteina,
Nebraska, and was baptized.

After spending three years studying the Bible and other Christian material, he began preaching as
an assistant for an evangelism tour of various locations in Nebraska. Franson next went to
Chicago and joined the church pastored by Dwight L. Moody so he could learn and observe the
techniques employed by Moody in his evangelistic work.

In 1875 Franson began his own evangelistic work among Swedish immigrants in Minnesota. He
had great success and planned a trip to Europe in 1879. Other work in Utah required his
attention first so he left for a ministry among the Mormons with the help of Rev. J. F.
Fredrickson. Franson was moved to write Mormonism Unveiled as a result of his experiences.

He returned to Nebraska in December 1880 for rest. While home, he wrote a treatise on church
growth and development used by many of the small mission churches in the area. He was
ordained January 20, 1881, by the Free Church at Phelps Center prior to his departure for Europe.

Work in Europe consumed Franson's time for the next nine years taking him to every European
nation. His journey and ministry was not without trial. He was imprisoned several times and even
banished from Denmark forever in 1885 for his evangelistic activities. J. Hudson Taylor of China
Inland Mission contacted Franson regarding the great need for China missionaries. Franson used
his influence with Scandinavian churches to encourage them to send workers to China. Within
the next four years they sent over fifty.

When Franson returned to the United States in 1890, he held the first Bible and missionary course
in the Swedish Pilgrim Church for fifty missionary candidates. The sending agency was called
The Scandinavian Alliance Mission, later becoming TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission).
Fields of service were extended to include nations such as China, Japan, India, Africa, Mongolia,
and South America. Franson made tours of the fields in 1894 and again in 1902. The last tour
lasted eight years. Franson spent much time in Australia helping to establish and administer the
work there.

Franson returned to the United States through Mexico, arriving in Texas on June 5, 1908. He
was very tired and went to Colorado for much needed rest before engaging in a new missions
thrust to youth. While recovering from his strenuous ministry, Franson died on August 2, 1908.

Many organizations were formed or influenced greatly by Franson's ministry including Danish
Mission Confederation, Swiss Alliance Mission, Barmea Alliance Mission, Finnish Alliance
Mission, Swedish Evangelical Mission in Japan, Swedish Alliance Mission, and TEAM. TEAM
presently supports the work of 892 active missionaries on twenty-two different fields.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of 343 folders of material collected by Edvard P. Torjesen of The
Evangelical Alliance Mission. The folders represent Torjesen's research on Franson's life in
preparation for writing a biography of the mission founder. The container list follows the same
format as the microfilm reels which is a chronological listing of materials. Distinctive white dated
tabs were found in the upper left hand corner of the folder as means of identification. Almost
exclusively the material is found in languages other than English. The eight folders containing
documents in English are noted by the word English in brackets following the date. Whenever
possible, the foreign title and English translation are given. Brief summaries and notes noted on
the material were included when appropriate as an aid in identification.

All materials were photocopies of originals or other copies. Documents include: correspondence
while on various mission projects in Utah, Europe, China, and South America; reports from
various mission meetings and conferences; excerpts from Franson sermons; excerpts from various
books, pamphlets, and tracts written by Franson; and Franson's funeral notice.

Provenance

The materials in this collection were received by the Center in July 1979, microfilmed, and returned to the owner. The Center maintains negative and positive copies of the microfilm.

Accession 79-87
April 17, 1980
Mary Ann Buffington
S. Kouns

LOCATION RECORD
Accession: 79-87
Type of Material: Microfilm

For each item listed below, there isa master negative; one complete positive set is in the
CENTER LIBRARY MICROFILM ROOM:

October 15, 1874 - Minutes of the Baptist Council, October 3, 1874,
extending recognition to the Second Swedish Baptist Church of Saunders
County, at Weston, Nebraska (Franson, Secretary). From Zions Wakt,
November 1874 (no. 7)

1

6

June 24-25, 1875 - Minutes of the Swedish Baptist Conference of Nebraska,
Dakota and Western Iowa--Altomont, Shelby County, June 24-26, 1875
(Franson, Secretary). From Zions Wakt, August 1875

July 12, 1883 - Franson's meditation on "Communion with the Father and His
Son"

3

7

Summer 1883 - Inheritance and Reward by Franson Morgenroden, (5 issues);
Franson's first general letter to Norway's revival people

3

8

September 1883 - Bref. Franson's report from Hemmerfest, Norway

3

9

October 10-16, 1883 - Referot. Report of the discussions at the Bush Hall
Meeting

3

10

October 15, 1883 - Franson's Letters From Bronnoy Morgenroden, October-December 1883--Describing his campaigns in North Norway and advising
Norway's revival people regarding the missionary associations and their
relationship to the Lutheran State Church

3

11

December 1883 - Tesfalonikerbrefmen och skrifti aterkompt. Franson's study
of "The Thessalonion Epistles and the Return of Christ"

3

12

November 29, 1883 - Uppenbarelfeboken. Franson's study on "The book of
Revelation"

3

13

January 3, 1884 - Sarfkilda boneamnen for bonemeckan. Franson's appeal for
special prayer during the prayer week

3

14

February 1, 1884 - Letter to the Editor by Rev. Jan O. Kielland Bronnoy
Lutheran State Church Parish Morgenroden (Self-vindication and irenic
critique of Franson's views and work)

3

15

February 1, 1884 - Franson's Farewell Message to Norway's Missionary
Associations, Morgenroden (February-April 1884); Elucidating the
ecclesiology and mission of the missionary associations, including nature of
the preachers and the members

April 1, 1884 - Franson's Recommendation of the Missionary Training School
of the Swedish Mission Covenant Chruch at Kristinehamn, Sweden to the
mission friends in Norway

3

20

April 1, 1884 - "The Holy Spirit of Pentecost" by Rev. C. A. Bergman
Sweden Lutheran State Church Morgenroden (Printed in contrast with Rev.
Jan O. Kielland, Norway Lutheran State Church, who wrote critique of
Franson's work)

3

21

May 29, 1884 - Evangelift kurs. Franson's announcement of his plan to
develop and conduct Evangelist courses to train local believers for evangelism
at home and abroad

December 1884 - Letter from Sophie Reuter--Norway's first modern China
missionary--China Inland Mission, London (Influenced by Franson during his
stop over in Kristiansand, Sweden)

4

3

Winter 1885 - The Revelation to John by Franson

4

4

February 25-April 4, 1885 - Talamod. Franson's meditation on "Patience"
written during his confinement in the Roeskilde prison

4

5

March 3-10, 1885 - First announcement of the March 25-30, 1885 meeting in
Minneapolis

4

6

March 5, 1885 - Bref. Franson's letter from Roeskilde, Denmark

4

7

March 1885 - For dagen. Franson's letter from Denmark after his
imprisonment

4

8

March 1885 - Report on Franson's campaign and Imprisonment in Denmark

4

9

March 25-30, 1885 - Referat. Official report by the two secretaries of the
meeting in Minneapolis of the Fellowship of Christians for Joint Mission Work

4

10

April 4, 1885 - For Sagen. Report on Franson's letter immediately after
announcement of the Justice Minister's decision in his case on April 4 and
including quote from Franson of his and his friends' intention to appeal the
banishment decision to the King. Probably written from Copenhagen

4

11

April 11, 1885 - For Dagen. Franson's letter after his release from prison in
Denmark. Probably written in Malmo, Sweden

4

12

May 7, 1884 - Crfarenbeter i fangellet. Franson's recounting of his
"Experiences in the Prison"

4

13

May 18, 1885 - Evangelistkuss. Franson's announcement of Evangelist
Course, beginning May 18 and continuing for 2 or 3 weeks in New Church,
Stockholm

4

14

May 1885 - Franson's Letter to Morgenroden Editor on his present work and
plans in Sweden after his release from Danish prison

Spring 1886 - Die cdten sohnc Bions und ihr Meffias nam der Tora und den
Propheten. Franson's tract "The Precious Sons of Zion and their Messian
according to the Torah and the Prophets." German original probably written
in South Germany or Switzerland. Published by A. Gerhard in Emden and C.
Braus in Schwerte, in the Ruhr area

4

26

May 13, 1886 - Iil Cflertante. Franson's meditation on John 2:19 with a
futuristic application to the resurrection of His body, the church

Fall 1887 - Eftermotena. Franson's dissertation After Meetings considered in
the Light of the Bible. Written originally in German, published at Zintin, East
Prussia, 1887 in a 48-page booklet under the title "Die Nachversammlungen,
betrachtet in Lichte der Bibel"; Free translation into Swedish by Miss Nelly
Hall, published at Karlshamn, 1888

5

2

October 9-14, 1887 - Fra Misfionsmarken. Quoting a report from
"Gemeinschaftshote" about Franson's participation in the week of meetings
dedicating the new Mission Hall in Elbing, East Prussia

July 10, 1888 - Evangelistkurs. Franson's announcement of Evangelist Course
in Oslo beginning July 10, 9 a.m. He recounts blessings received through
those who have worked as Evangelists, especially in the inalnd districts, since
last winter--and especially so through the women evangelists

5

5

Summer 1888 - Nagra antedningar fras disfusfionerna wid
Misfionshusinlvigningsfeiten i Iammeriors. Notes on the discussions held at
the Dedication festival of the Tammerfors Mission Hall. Reported by H.
B.=Hjalmer Braxen

November 16-20, 1888 - Report concerning Franson's special students meeing
"yesterday" in the Alliance Hall

5

9

November 26-27, 1888 - Report on "the salvation and farewell meeting" last
night in the Alliance Hall. A number of participants in the evangelist course
were among the "19 witnesses" who took part. Franson announced
postponement of his departure till next week

5

10

November 21, 1888 - Report on the Discussion in the Alliance Hall on the
Woman's Work in response to the resolution of the Preachers' Meeting at
Tammerfors concerning the "salvation meetings" in the Alliance Hall

5

11

November 24, 1888 - Rirje Helsingista. Letter from Helsinki reporting on
Franson's evangelist course meetings in Helsinki since beginning of the month

5

12

November 29, 1888 - Herr Fransons wersjambet. A reasoned evaluation and
questioning of some aspects of Franson's work and attitudes as well as that of
some of his followers

5

13

November 28, 1888 - Selfingen alliansihuoneestra. Report of an eye-witness
account of the new type of evangelism in the Alliance Mission

5

14

December 6, 1888 - "Is it desirable that the Salvation Army be introduced, or
that its methods be adopted, among us here?"

5

15

December 10, 1888 - Observera Franson's notice postponing the Evangelist
Course in Orebro from the 6th till December 10 because of the great door
opened to him among the students in Helsinki

5

16

December 18-20, 1888 - Excerpt from Helsinki letter

5

17

December 1, 6, 13, 1888 - Bref fran Helsingfors. Reporting the impact of the
Current Salvation Army siege under the leadership of Franson and A "Little
Chronical" satirizing the salvation meetings in the Allaince Hall under Franson

5

18

December 20, 28, 1888 - Genmale. Answer by Nelly Hall to articles on
Franson and the Salvation Army; with the paper's editorial answer clearing
Franson of its earlier question and reaffirming and restating its questioning of
Nelly Hall and the Salvation Army

5

19

January 3, 1889 - Comments on Franson's campaign in the "Alliance Hall",
Helsinki

5

20

February 1889 - [English] Letter published in "The Christian Alliance and
Missionary Weekly" Vol. II

September 19, 1889 - Brev fra Insfland. Franson's letter from Siegen,
Germany concerning the blessings there and in the Barmen/Elberfeld area. A
three week course is to begin in Eberfeld November 5

5

26

September-October 1889 - En Kort missionsrefai i Norge. Miss Nelly Hall's
report from Norway and observations on results of Franson's work there and
in Denmark

5

27

November 1889 - Brevfort fra Insfland. Franson's postcard from Barmen,
announcing the results of the Evangelist Course (4 brothers and 2 sisters for
China) and announcing another course for Berlin beginning December 27

April 29, 1890 - Preach the Gospel Comments by Pastor Edward Thorell of
the Swedish American Mission Society for Home and Evangelistic Work

5

32

1890 - Eders dotre skulle prosetere. Franson's dissertation "Your Daughters
Shall Prophecy" written originally in German under the title "Weissagende
Tochter" published in Gemeinschaftsblatt

5

33

June 26, 1890 - Kristi tillkommelse. Christ's Return message given by Franson
at the Holiness Conference at Torp, Sweden

5

34

July 1890 - Dil Heilsormer Und Die Arbeit Des Schwedischen Evangelisten
Franson (The Salvation Army and the Work of the swedish Evangelist
Franson Briefly Illuminated According to the Holy Scriptures) by N. Neviandt

5

35

September 23, 1890 - Brief historical summary of the Swedish Evangelical
Free Church in Denver, Colorado--its start and development by E. Thorell

October 15-21, 1890 - Call to the fall meetings in Kristus - kyrkan
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) of the Fellowship of Christians for General
Evangelism and also the meetings of Swedish American Missionary Society
and the Minnesota Missionary Society

6

4

October 28, 1890 - Fransons Kinaexpedition. Report by A. L. Anderson on
Franson's activities in connection with the "China Mission," the evangelist
course, 50 attending--about 20 decide to go to China. The plans and concepts
of the emerging "Alliance" mission

6

5

November 4, 1890 - En evangelist - kurs. Franson's announcement of the
evangelist course in Chicago and two following in Minneapolis and Omaha

December 15, 1890 - Fransons Ainaefspedition. Report on Franson's "tireless
work" in the States with the Evangelist courses in Brooklyn and Chicago to
recruit missionaries for China and the conditions set for them

6

9

December 30, 1890 - En Forklaring

6

10

Winter 1890 - Fra Tylkland. Franson's letter from Barmen, while Emanuel
Olson is working with him. The Misses Hall and Nihlen are also there. They
have already received money for 10 missionaries to China; several have been
accepted by the newly formed Mission Board

April 10, 1890 - Call to annual spring meeting of the Fellowship of Christians
for General Evangelism at Oak Street Mission Hall

6

13

June 9, 1890 - Broder F. Franson. Franson's letter from London thanking
friends in America for their renewed invitation from him to return there

6

14

Summer 1890 - Om det andliga tissflandet i Norge. Excerpts from the report
of Professor R. A. Jernberg on the 6th Annual Meeting of the Mission
Covenant of Norway, at which Franson was present--Franson's meeting with
the evangelists and his plan to bring the Gospel to every home in Norway

6

15

August 1890 - Aflkedshilfen. Franson's farewell greeting to God's children in
Europe from Queenstown, Ireland

6

16

August 26, 1890 - Franson's announcement from Norway that he is booked to
arrive in New York on the S/S Alaska September 8-10, 1890

6

17

September 16, 1890 - En evangeliftkur. Franson's announcement of the
evangelist course in Brooklyn, New York, October 14, continuing for about
two weeks in the Pilgrim Church

6

18

November 25, 1890 - Kinas mi Tioner. Franson's plea for "China's Millions,"
including his own vision of the mission to be organized

6

19

December 16, 1890 - Tillkannagifvanden. Franson's announcement of the
Evangelist Course for Minneapolis in the Mission Tabernacle

6

20

December 30, 1890 - Tillkannagifvanden. Franson's announcement of the
Samaritan Aid Course, Omaha, Nebraska--January 5 continuing for about two
weeks under the direction of our well-known brother Dr. G. Holmquist from
Burlington, Iowa

6

21

January 1891 - Kinas millioner

6

22

April 29, 1891 - De ti Fomfruer. Message by Franson on "The Ten Virgins"

6

23

May 1891 - Kina Alliancemissionem. Franson's meditation on Living Waters
and the newly sent out China Alliance missionaries

April 9, 1892 - [English] Report of the General Secretary and Superintendent
of the International Missionary Alliance for the Month ending April 9, 1892.
(Includes a briefing on Franson's meeting with the Board and his offering to
the Board)

November 20, 1892 - Fransons Broedison. Franson's message in the
Kalmeyer Street Hall, Oslo, on Rebecca's words "I will go with this man."

7

4

December 1892 - Nogle Ord tilflut angaaende Cleverne for Rina. De Lfal nu
have en Mcaneds Ferie. M. Hausen's report concerning the China candidates
and their one month's Christmas recess. February will be for English studies

May 24, 1893 - Missioner Franson. Franson's message, in "Bethlehem" at the
commissioning and farewell service for the 5 missionaries going to China via
England

7

15

May 25, 1893 - Rurseseleverne for Rinamissionen. About the participants in
the Evangelists Course accepted for the China Mission

7

16

May 28, 1893 - Missioner Fransons. Franson's message in the Castle
Gymnasium, Oslo, "The good Trinity and a trinity of evil"

7

17

May-June, 1893 - Excerpts from Emanuel Olson's letter regarding A. B.
Simpson's visit to Shanghai and the removal of the questions that had been
raised as to the ability, usefulness and education of the Scandinavian
missionaries

June 30, 1893 - [English] Editorial. Rev. A. B. Simpson's report on his
reception and work in Shanghai, especially pertaining to the "successive
parties of up to the number of two hundred" Swedish missionaries

April 1, 1894 - Tidens tecken. Franson's meditation based on I Chronicles
12:32, 23. "The Signs of the Times"

8

5

May 1, 1894 - Darjeeling, Forindien. Franson's letter from N.E. India
concerning his introduction to the work of various missions, including his own
Tibet missionaries, since his arrival in Bombay as well as his advice to those
missionary candidates in America and Switzerland still waiting for marching
orders to leave for the fields

8

6

July 1894 - Quotations of letter allegedly from Hudson Taylor casting the
work of Franson in very bad light in relation to the China Inland Mission and
the I.M.A.

8

7

August 1894 - Stroftag i Himalaja. On Caravan in Himalaya--letter from
Franson

June 22, 1897 - Brev til Missionoeren. Franson's message (4-1/2 hours) to the
Evangelists Course in Drammen, Norway, on the Revelation and also on
"Practical Advice to Evangelists and Pastors," the latter being especially
highlighted, as reported by Ludvig Ellingsen

9

1

June 21, 1897 - Tagttagelsen af F. Franson i del hellige Lond og paa
Missionsmarfen i Forbin delse med cristi Cjenfontst. Franson's ovservations
on the Holy Land and the Mission to the heathens in connection with the
Lord's Return at Drammen, Norway

December 31, 1897 - January 1898 - Evangelist F. Franson. Announcing
Franson's arrival in Barmen for meetings in the area and an evangelist course
in the latter half of January

9

14

1898 - [English] The "Wiles of Error" Unveiled: 70 Bible Passages
Misunderstood by the Mormons, Considered in the Light of the Scriptures, by
Franson

9

15

January 27-February 4, 1898 - F. Franson. Report on Franson's departure for
Schlesien and then to go on to Petersubry, Finland, and Sweden. Also report
on the Evangelist Course in Barmen in which 130 participated.

September 9, 1898 - Announcing Franson's farewell letter to the friends in
Norway to be published in next issue. Also informs he has now left to begin
work in Germany where the great city of Bremen is to be his first field

September 1898 - Nagra afskedsord. Franson's farewell to Scandinavia on his
1898 return to germany and other Southern countries also meeting objections
to clarifying questions on his book Himila Uret (Heaven's Watch)

10

1

October/November 1898 - The First Seven Years of TEAM's Work in China
by P. Even Hinriksen, Field Chairman, 1894-1898. Includes significant
information about the Kuwo Conference; Hudson Taylor's meeting with the
TEAM missionaries in Siam; the conference with Franson, forty missionaries
attending; and glimpses of the missionaries at work

10

2

November 8-11, 1898 - Konferez in Koningsberg i. Gr. Report on the
conference at Koningsberg with participants from East and West Prussia. The
speakers were Pastors Stockmayer and Paul and Missionary Franson

10

3

December 1898 - Die Skandrnovidje China-Allianz-Mission. "The Story of
the China Inland Mission" in response to unfavorable comments on the
missionaries of the Scandinavian Alliance Mission as unprepared in the "17th
Theological Yearbook"

10

4

December 27, 1898 - Die Evangelization der Donfenden von Dorfern
Dentsdjlands. Franson's call for the evangelist course at Graudenz, West
Prussia to train workers to help evangelize the thousands of rural hamlets in
Germany

10

5

January 1899 - F. Franson Die Gimmelsuhr. Preview by Bro. A. Motzkus of
Elbiny on Franson's book "The Heavenly Countdown" in German soon to be
published by the German-China Alliance Mission

10

6

January/February 1899 - Franson's report on the evangelist course in West
Prussia resulting in the founding of an Evangelists Association (one hundred
adults and many children seeking salvation at Schneidelmuhl, Posen in three
days)

September 5, 1902 - Ct Fjaerfommet Gjaeftehefog. Franson's message in
Oslo, Norway on eve of departure for U.S.A. Title: "The Whole World
Won--no gain; the Whole World Lost--no harm!" Reported by H. Doglum

11

7

June 1902 - Arbeidet paa Zion Mure Nutidens Bavaegelser blandt Joderne
Fire moertelige Foretellfer. "The Work on the Walls of Zion: Present Day
Movements among the Jews--Four Noteworthy Developments" by Franson

11

8

August 1902 - Bref fran missionar F. Franson. Franson's letter on board S/S
Sierra one day out of Honolulu on way to New Zealand and Australia

11

9

October 1, 1902 - Norfewood, Nn-Zeland. Letter from Franson

11

10

October 19, 1902 - Brefkort fran missionar F. Franson. Franson's letter fron
Sydney, Australia requesting prayer for power for the ministry and itinerary
ahead of him